In this Season 5 kickoff of Feed Me the Facts, we sit down with Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN, founder of Maya Feller Nutrition, author of Eating from Our Roots, and frequent national media contributor. Maya shares her unique journey from avant-garde theater to nutrition science, her passion for culturally humble care, and her mission to make nutrition education accessible and approachable.

We dive deep into what it means to stay credible and authentic in the media space, how dietitians can leverage social platforms without burning out, and why continuous learning and evolving are critical for the future of dietetics.

Whether you’re a current or future dietitian, or someone passionate about inclusive health messaging, this episode is packed with insights on growth, media presence, and making a lasting impact.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Maya’s Unconventional Path to Dietetics (00:00)
From avant-garde theater to NYU nutrition — and why she initially wanted to work for UNICEF.

Early Career Lessons & Community Work (06:00)
How working with marginalized communities shaped her approach to care.

Building a Private Practice & Breaking into Media (08:00)
The pivot from consulting to running her own practice and landing TV opportunities.

The Power of Social Media & Storytelling (11:00)
Why Maya launched her YouTube series and how she balances evidence-based messaging with relatability.

Being a Forever Learner (20:00)
How reading research, attending conferences, and collaborating across disciplines keep her credible and fresh.

What Influencers Are Doing Well — and What RDs Can Learn (22:00)
The importance of storytelling, empathy, and connecting with your audience.

Evolving as a Profession (42:00)
Why dietitians need to unpack bias, take stronger stances, and meet the needs of today’s diverse populations.

Measuring Success in Media & Business (32:00)
Redefining success beyond followers — doing the work you love, being compensated fairly, and serving your community.

Turning Expertise into Income (35:00)
Practical advice on writing, content creation, brand partnerships, and staying authentic.

What’s Next for Maya (52:00)
Her passion for food science, biodiversity, and connecting with real people through street interviews.

Resources & Links:

📌 Connect with Maya:

Maya Feller Nutrition – Learn more about Maya and her team’s work: www.mayaellernutrition.com

Follow Maya on Instagram & YouTube: @mayafellerrd

Maya’s Books:

Eating from Our Roots

Southern Comfort Diabetes Cookbook

Watch Maya’s “Ask a Dietitian” YouTube Series: Maya Feller Nutrition on YouTube

🎙️ Stay connected with Feed Me The Facts:

Website: www.diversifydietetics.org

Instagram & Facebook: @DiversifyDietetics

Send in your thoughts/questions: [email protected]

📩 Don’t forget to subscribe to The Squeeze, Diversify Dietetics’ monthly newsletter for the latest updates in nutrition and dietetics.

🎧 Listen now on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube